BILL NUMBER: SCR 6	CHAPTERED  05/07/99

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER   24
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   MAY 7, 1999
	ADOPTED IN SENATE   MAY 6, 1999
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY   APRIL 29, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   APRIL 19, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Baca
   (Principal coauthors:  Senators Polanco, Alarcon, Escutia,
Figueroa, Ortiz, and Solis)
   (Principal coauthors:  Assembly Members Villaraigosa, Ducheny,
Calderon, Cardenas, Cedillo, Correa, Firebaugh, Florez, Gallegos,
Havice, Reyes, Romero, and Soto)
   (Coauthors:  Senators Burton, Chesbro, Costa, Dunn, Hughes,
Karnette, Kelley, McPherson, O'Connell, Peace, Perata, Sher, and
Vasconcellos)
   (Coauthors:  Assembly Members Alquist, Aroner, Briggs, Cunneen,
Davis, Dickerson, Dutra, Honda, Keeley, Knox, Kuehl, Longville,
Machado, Margett, Mazzoni, McClintock, Migden, Robert Pacheco, Papan,
Scott, Shelley, Steinberg, Strom-Martin, Washington, Wesson,
Wildman, Wright, and Zettel)

                        JANUARY 13, 1999

   Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 6--Relative to Cinco de Mayo.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 6, Baca.  Cinco de Mayo.
   This measure would call on all the people of California to
celebrate and recognize May 5 as Cinco de Mayo.




   WHEREAS, May 5, or Cinco De Mayo, is a date of great importance
for the Mexican and Mexican-American communities; and
   WHEREAS, Since May 5, 1862, this date has become one of Mexico's
most celebrated national holidays and is celebrated annually by
almost all Mexicans and Mexican-Americans, north and south of the
United States-Mexican border.  The Battle of Puebla was but one of
the many battles that these courageous people had to win in their
long and brave struggle for independence and freedom; and
   WHEREAS, The French general, confident that his battle-seasoned
troops were far superior to the almost amateuristic Mexican forces,
probably expected little or no opposition from the Mexican army.
However, on that historic day the French army, which had not tasted
defeat in half a century against Europe's finest troops, suffered a
disastrous loss at the hands of an outnumbered, ill-equipped, and
ragged, but highly spirited and courageous Mexican force; and
   WHEREAS, Napoleon III of France was not only planning to build an
empire for himself in Mexico, but was actually looking ahead to then
aiding the Southern states in their fight against the North in the
American Civil War in order to procure the South's cotton, which was
much needed by France; and
   WHEREAS, After three bloody assaults upon Puebla in which over a
thousand gallant Frenchmen lost their lives, the once handsomely
uniformed French troops were finally defeated and driven back by the
outnumbered Mexican troops.  The courageous and heroic spirit that
General Zaragoza and his men displayed during this historic battle
can never be forgotten.  The battle of Cinco de Mayo, in which many
brave Mexicans willingly gave their lives for the cause of justice
and freedom, was instrumental in keeping Mexico from falling under
European domination at that time; and
   WHEREAS, Cinco de Mayo is not only the commemoration of the rout
of the French troops at the town of Puebla in Mexico, but also a
celebration of the virtues of individual courage and patriotism of
all Mexicans and Mexican-Americans who have fought for freedom and
independence against foreign aggressors; and
   WHEREAS, Cinco de Mayo reminds us that the foundation of our
nation is built by people from many nations and diverse cultures who
are willing to fight and die for freedom; and
   WHEREAS, Cinco de Mayo also reminds us of the close ties,
spiritual as well as economic, that bind the people of Mexico and the
people of the United States, and especially California, the home of
millions of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans; and
   WHEREAS, In the larger sense, Cinco de Mayo symbolizes the right
of a free people to self-determination just as Benito Juarez once
said, "El respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz" (The respect of other
people's rights is peace); now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California
hereby calls on all the people of California to join in celebrating
Cinco de Mayo as a day to honor the valiant spirit of the brave
Mexicans who defended the town of Puebla and the Mexican-Americans of
today who have fought and died for the freedom of the United States
of America; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature recognizes May 5 as Cinco de Mayo.
